Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000jgr...105.1709c&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 105, Issue E1, p. 1709-1716
Physics
56
Planetology: Solid Surface Planets, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Heat Flow, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Interiors, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Tectonics
Scientific paper
Chaotic terrain on Europa is interpreted to be the result of the breakup of brittle surface materials over a mobile substrate. Two end-member models have been proposed for the mobile substrate: a liquid water ocean or solid warm ductile ice. Direct contact between the brittle surface ice and an underlying ocean might be accomplished by melting through Europa's ice shell, but plausible sources of thermal energy are insufficient to locally melt through the ice shell. We calculate that a liquid or partially liquid substrate is probably necessary for tilted blocks to be observed, challenging a solid-state model. We propose that a model in which chaos areas on Europa formed over bodies of melt or partial melt within the ice shell may be the best match to observational and thermal constraints. Such bodies of melt within the ice shell may be triggered by warm diapirs of relatively clean ice that partially melted an overlying layer of lower melting temperature, such as ice contaminated with salts.
Collins Geoffrey C.
Head James W.
Pappalardo Robert T.
Spaun Nicole Angelique
No associations
LandOfFree
Evaluation of models for the formation of chaotic terrain on Europa does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Evaluation of models for the formation of chaotic terrain on Europa, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evaluation of models for the formation of chaotic terrain on Europa will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-807597